Apparatus for washing out and refilling boilers



S. OTIS.

APPARATUS FOR WASHING OUT AND BEFILLING BOILERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I5, I919- Patented M33130, 1922.

srnncnn OTIS, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 NATIONAL BOILER WASHINGCOMPANY, or cnroneo, rumors, a coaronarion or MAINE.

APPARATUS FOR WA$LHING OUT AND REFILLING BOILERS.

Application filed May 15,

To all 111/2 om it may c mcrn Be it known that I, Srnnonn ()Tis acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois. have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Apparatus for Washing Uut and Refilling Boilers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates in general to apparatus for washing out andrefilling boilers, and more particularly to simplifying, and at the sametime increasing the eiliciency, of such apparatus.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a boiler washout andrefilling apparatus in which a single tank serves to directly receivethe blown-0E water an steam from the boiler, and to contain the supplyof wash-out water, and in which the steam is separated from theblown-off water and the sludge separated from the washout water, therebyobviating the need of the usual separator in which the blown-off fluidsare received and by which the steam and sludge are eliminated before thewater is delivered to the wash-out tank.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a locomotive boilerwash-out apparatus a tank for receiving the blown-off fluid directlyfrom the boiler and from which is automatically discharged the sludgewhen the water level in the tank is at a predetermined height.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a locomotiveboiler wash-out and refilling apparatus, a tank for receiv ing theblown-off fluids having a valve through which the sludge is discharged,which valve is automatically opened when the level in the tank reaches apredetermined maximum and is retained open until the level falls apredetermined amount.

The final object of my invention is to provide a boiler washoutandrefilling system which will be simple in construction economical in use,and efficient in operation.

Mv invention will be more fully disclosed hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawing in which the same is illustrated as embodied ina convenient and practical form and in which Figure l is a plan view,parts belng shown in section; and,

Figure 2 is an elevational view, the tank Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented May 30, 1922. 191a Serial No. 2915220.

for the washout water being shown in vertical section.

The same reference characters are used to designate the same parts inthe two figures of the drawing.

1% designates a tank of a size and shape suitable for containing waterfor washing out locomotive boilers. The tank preferably comprises acylindrical wall and horizontal top and bottom head B and C,respectively, the parts being so connected as to render the tanksubstantially fluid-tight. The upper head of the tank is suitablysupported as by means of uprights D, upon the upper ends of which aresupported horizontal bars D which underlie and support (1 the top headof the tank.

E indicates a conduit communicating with the interior of the tank A,preferably by extending through an opening located centrally in theupper head B, such conduit being connected in the usual manner with 10-comotive boilers which are to be blown off. Suitably supported withinthe tank A adiacent the under surface of the upper head B, is adeflector F, preferably slightly conical and having a central. hole 7. Asupple mental deflector F is supported upon the deflector F over thehole f therethrough. The deflectors are located beneath the, dischargeend of the conduit E and preferably concentric with respect thereto andalso preferably concentric with respect to the tank. I

G indicates a float which supports, in any suitable manner an openconduit H through which wash-out water is supplied from the tank to theusual wash-out conduit K. The float serves to support the open end ofthe conduitH adjacent the level of the waterin the tank so as to avoidthe delivery of sludge. which settles at the bottom of the tank.

L designates a drain conduit leading from an opening in the bottom headC of the tank, and which communicates with a con duit L leading to thesewer. The conduit L extends upwardly and communicates through a branchconduit Z with the interior of the'tank adj acent-the top thereof so asto serve as an overflow.

M indicates a float chamber suitably supported adjacent the tank A, asby means of a tubular standard M mounted at its lower end upon a Tcoupling Z and the conduit L. A float N is located within the chamber Mand is connected by a rod N with a valve a located in the T coupling Zand serving to open and close the passageway through the conduit L. Aconduit 0 leads from the interior of the tank A adjacent the top.thereof to the interior of the chamber M, such conduit being in the formof a siphon. one leg of which depends a limited distance within the tankA and the other leg oit'which depends to adjacent the bottom oil": thechamber M, where it is preferably provided with a gravity valve 0. Pdesignates a drain pipe of restricted cross section with respect to thecross section or the conduit 0, which may preferably communicate at itslower end with the drain pipe L R designates a conduit communicatingthrough the upper head B with the interior 'of'the tankA and leading toa condenser S, into which cold water received through a conduit S issprayed. .9 indicates a support for the condenser, and s a conduitleading from the condenser for delivering water of condensation into thetank T for containing water for refilling the boilers.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The fluids blown off fromthe boilers are delivered through the conduit E to the interior of thetank A immediately above the deflectors F and F so that the water isdirected toward the side wall of the tank. Steam which rises from thewater below the deflector F passes through the hole f therein, andtogether with the steam directly delivered through the conduit E passesthrough the conduit F to the condenser" S, where it is condensed andthen passes in the form of water condensation into the refilling tank T.

The float G supports the eduction conduit H centrally beneath thedeflector F so that the wash-out water withdrawn from the tank is freefrom sludge which settles adjacent the cylindrical wall of the tankowing to the deflector F.

Then the level of the water in the tank A rises above the horizontalportion of the conduit 0, it flowsthrough such conduit into the chamberM and lifts the float N, thereby opening the valve n and permitting thesludge to be discharged from the tank to the sewer conduit L The waterwill continue to flow to the chamber M and maintain the valve 11,, openuntil the water level in the tank A falls below the lower end of the legof the siphon depending within the tank, the siphon being then brokenthefloat will lower and permit the valve a 'to close owing "to thedischarge of waterirom the chamber M through the restricted drain P. Thedrain P is normally ope'nfbut it is of sulficiently flessoa'pacity thanthat of'the conduit O to not interterewith th'efaccumulationofWater-in'the chamber M to operate-the flo'a't' N. Leakage from thechamber around the rod N is prevented by means of suitable packing n inthe opening in thebottom of the chamber through which the rod extends.

The presence of the baflies effects the distribution of the sediment andsludge adja cent the sides of the cylindrical wall on the bottom of thetank so that as the 'eduction port is supported adjacent the center ofthe tank the water for washing out boilers is supplied free from sludge.The provision of the hole through the deflector permits the upwardpassage of steam rising from the water, while the small deflectorsupported above the hole in the larger deflectorprevents the incomingblown-off fluids from passing through the hole in the main deflector,while the steam is permitted to pass through the space between the twodeflectors.

It will be evident that my invention "comprises a combined blow-off,separator, and wash-out water tank, inasmuch as blown-ofii fluids aredischarged directly into the tank, and; the steam and sludge eliminatedfrom the blown-off water, so that the tank contains water for use inwashing out boilers. Y

From the foregoing description it will be observed that I have inventedan improvement in apparatus for utilizing the fluids discharged-fromboilers in forming water for washing out and refilling boilers, by meansof which a single tank serves to 're- 'ceive the blown-oil fluids and toeffect the separation of the steam and sludge from the fluids so thatwater may be delivered directly from the tank for washing out boilers.It willbe further observed that by means of my invention the sludge isautofma't'ically discharged from the tank when the water level thereinreaches a predetermined height and that such discharge will continueuntil the level has fallen a predetermined degree.

While I have'in this application specifically described one embodimentwhich my invention may assume in practice, it is my intention to coverall modifications of the invention which do not involve'a departure fromthespirit and scope of the invention as set "forth in the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A boiler 'blowto'fi and wash-out systein comprising a tank having asingle compartment in which it receives and separates steam, water andsludge, means delivering steam, water and sludge 'from locomotives,directly and collectively to said tank, means conveying awaysteam fromthe'top of said tank, means conveying away sludge from the bottom ofsaid tank,"and means drawing oiiw-ash-out water from "the upper portionof said tank below the water level therein. I

2. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with atank "for receiving the blown-oil fluids from a boiler, of meansautomatically controlled by the liquid level in said tank for permittingthe discharge of sludge therefrom, and a. conduit for supplying waterfrom sald tank for washing out boilers.

3. A boiler blow off and wash-out system comprising a tank having asingle compartment in which it receives and separates steam, water andsludge, means delivering steam water and sludge from locomotivesdirectly and collectively to said tank, means conveying away steam fromthe top of said tank, a sludge conduit for drawing ofl sludge from thebottom of said tank, means responsive to an excessive water level forautomatically opening said sludge conduit, and a conduit for wash-outwater leading from the upper portion ofthe tank below the normal waterlevel thereof.

4. A boiler blow off and wash-out system comprising a tank having asingle compartment in which it receives and separates steam, water andsludge, means delivering steam, water and sludge from locomotivesdirectly and collectively to said tank, means conveying away steam fromthe top of said tank, a sludge conduit for drawing off sludge from thebottom of said tank, means responsive to an excessive water level forautomatically opening said sludge conduit, and a. conduit for wash-outwater leading from the upper portion of the tank below the normal waterlevel thereof; means being also provided to vary the level of thewash-out water conduit with changes in the water level within the tank.

5. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with atank and means for delivering to said tank, directly and collectively,steam, water and sludge blown off from a locomotive, of a deflectorsupported within said tank, a blow-off conduit communicating with theinterior of said tank above said deflector, and a conduit extending frombelow said deflector through which wash-out water is withdrawn.

6. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with atank and means for delivering to said tank, directly and collectively,steam, water and sludge blown off from a locomotive, of a conicaldeflector supported within said tank and having a hole at its apex, asupplemental deflector supported above the hole in said conicaldeflector, a blow-off conduit above said deflectors, a conduit extendingfrom below said deflectors through which wash-out water is withdrawn,and a steam discharge conduit leading from the top of said tank.

7. In a wash-out and refilling system, the combination with a tank, of aconduit through which fluid blown ofi from boilers is delivered intosaid tank, a valve for controlline; an outlet from the bottom of saidtank, and means'iior opening said valve when the water level of saidtank reaches a predetermined height and torretainingsaid Valve openuntil the water level falls a predetermined degree.

8. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with atank, of aconduit communicating with said tank for supplying theretofluids blown ofl from boilers, a drain conduit leading from adj acentthe bottom of said tank, a valve co.n trolling the flow through saidconduit, a float chamber, a float in said chamber operatively connectedto said valve, a conduit through which water is supplied from saidtankto said chamber during a predetermined high water level in saidtank, anda relatively restricted discharge port adjacent the bottom ofsaid chamber.

9. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with atankQof a conduit communicating with said tank for supplying theretofluids blown ofl from boilers, a drain conduit leading from adjacent thebottom ott'said tank, a valve controlling the flow through said conduit,a float chamber supported adjacent said'tank, a float in said chamberoperatively connected to said valve, a siphon conduit, one leg of whichdepends in said tank and the other leg of which depends within saidchamber, and means for discharging the water from said chamber when theflow through said siphon is broken.

10. In a boiler wash'out and refilling system, the combination with atank, of a conduit communicating with said tank for supplying theretofluids blown off from boilers, a drain conduit leading from adjacent thebottom of said tank, a valve controlling the flow through said conduit,a float chamber supported adjacent said tank, a float in said chamberoperatively connected to said valve, a siphon conduit, one leg of whichdepends in said tank and the other leg of which depends within saidchamber, and a normally open drain pipe leading from adjacent the bottomof said chamber of less cross section than the cross section of saidsiphon.

motive said tank being adapted to separate the steam and sludge from thewater therc in, andtodraw off said steam from the top and said sludgefrom the bottom of the tank while storing the water, and having meansfor delivering water from the upper portion thereof below the water linetherein.

13.111 a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with acombined blow-oil", separating and wash-out water tank, of means forautomaticallydischarging the sludge from said tank. 7.

14. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with acombined blow-ofl', separating and wash-out water tank, of-a deflectorsupported within said tank below the incoming blown-off fluids,

and an outlet conduit for wash-out waterextending :trom below saiddeflector. 15. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, thecombination with a combined blow-ofl, separating-and; wash-out watertank, of a deflector supported within said tank below the incomingblown-oil fluids,

an outlet conduit through which wash-out water is delivered from saidtank, and means for supporting said latter conduit beneath saiddeflectorat a predetermined distance below the water level. I e

16. In a boiler wash-out and refilling system, the combination with acombined blow-off, separating fand wash-out water tank, of a deflectorsupported within said tank below the incoming blown ofl' fluids andhaving'a hole therethrough for, the upward passage of steam, a seconddeflector spaced apart from and supported over the hole in said firstdeflector, a conduit leading from adjacent the,top of said tank throughwhich steam is discharged, an outlet conduit for wash-out water,andvmeans for supporting said latter conduit beneath said deflector at apredetermined distance below the water level.

Signed atChicago, Illinois, this 13th day of May, 1919.. v a

SPENCER OTIS.

